Bobbin transfer mechanism



4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 3, 1950 INVENTOR. KAROL KULCZYCK! ATTORNEY 1952 K. KULCZYCKI BQBBIN TRANSFER MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 3, 1950 INVENTOR. KAROL KULCZYC K! ATTORNEY 1952 K. KULCZYCKI 2,617,

BOBBIN TRANSFER MECHANISM Filed March 3, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. KAROL. KULCZYCKI ATTORNEY 1952 K. KULCZYCKI 2,617,448

BOBBIN TRANSFER MECHANISM Filed March 3, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVkNTOR. KAROL KULCZYCKI MM 125w ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 11, 1952 BOBBIN TRANSFER MECHANISM Karol Kulczycki, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Steel and Alloy Tank Company, Newark, N. J a corporation of New Jersey Application March 3, 1950, Serial No. 147,483

The present invention relates to automatic filling transfer mechanisms for looms.

In the usual type of automatic loom of the fly shuttle type, there is provided a rotary hopper or battery operatable to automatically replenish the filling. The reserve filling carriers or bobbins are held at their heels and tips by and between two discs of this hopper and are arranged therein in a circular series. The hopper is rotated step by step in a feed direction automatically through an indexing device to successively position the bobbin at the bottom of the hopper against a combined stop and bobbin ejector guide for transfer to the shuttle. The stop is so located that it will check the lowermost bobbin to be transferred in the correct position for it to be forced out of the hopper and into the shuttle.

In prior art constructions, the indexing device may be released to permit the hopper to be manually rotated in a feed direction. However, the bobbin stop associated with the hopper permits manual rotation of the hopper only to the extent to which the hopper is unfilled as the hopper will always stop when a bobbin reachessaid stop.

In the usual transfer mechanism, there is located near the bottom of the hopper a main transfer arm disposed between the two rotary hopper discs and adapted to engage the heel of the lowermost bobbin upon transfer and an auxiliary transfer arm constituting a rigid extension of said main transfer arm and also extending between said discs to engage the tip' of said lowermost bobbin upon transfer. The resultingblocking of the lower section of the hopper, plus the presence of a stop in the way of the lowermost bobbin makes it impossible to rotate the hopper continuously in one direction upon the release of the indexing or feed device for manual control. As a result, the filling of the hopper is most difficult to accomplish from the front of the loom.

One object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved bobbin transfer'mechanism, which permits the hopper to be rotated continuously at least in. the feed direction, regardless of the number of bobbins on said hopper, when the hopper indexing or feed device has been released for manual control and which permits thereby the easy filling of the hopper entirely from the front of the loom.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved bobbin transfer mechanism, which is operatable to effect smooth transfer of the bobbin with minimum of shock, which is positive, accurate and instantaneous in its operations and reactions, and which has mov-- 17 Claims. (Cl. 139-243) able bobbin transfer parts in position. to avoid spoilage of the bobbins through the lubricant carried by said parts.

Various other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following particular description and from an inspection of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective of the right hand side of the loom and shows a filling transfer mechanism embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear view of the loom taken approximately along the lines 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section of the loom taken approximately along the lines 3-3 of Fig. 2, but showing the transfer mechanism in position before transfer is indicated;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the auxiliary transferrer shown in full lines in operative position and in dot and dash lines in inoperative position;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal view partly in section of an extensible link connection employed in conjunction with the main and auxiliary transferrers and the shuttle feeler;

Fig. 6 is a section of the loom similar to that of Fig. 3, but showing the transfer mechanism when transfer. is called for after clearance by the shuttle feeler and at the instant the lowermost bobbin in the hopper is beginning to be ejected fromsaid hopper towards the boxed shuttle;

Fig. '7 is a section of the loom similar to that. of Fig. 3, but showing the transfer mechanism at a later stage, after the bobbinhas been transferred into the shuttle;

Fig. 8 is a section of the loom taken approximately along the lines 88 of Fig. 2 and showing the transfer mechanism after transfer is called for but at the instant the shuttle feeler is being operated by an improperly boxed shuttle, to revoke the transfer call;

Fig. 9 is a section of the loom similar to that of Fig. 8, but showing the transfer mechanism at it later stage in the front center position of the y;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail sectionof the shuttle feeler; and

Fig. 11 is an end view of the shuttle-feeler.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, the reserve bobbins II] on which the filling yarn is wound are carried in a circular series in a rotatable. hopper or magazine I I. The hopper l l is on the right-hand side of the loom and comprises a stationary plate I2 secured toa hopper stand l3 afllxed to the right loomside i5. 1 The hopper stand I3 carries a bearing support [6 for a hopper shaft H to which a pair of axially spaced bobbin supporting discs is afiixed for rotation in unison, only the inner one of said discs l8 being shown. The connection between the two rotatable bobbin supporting discs and the shaft I! may comprise a long hub 20 having a key connection with said shaft. The hub 21) may be integral or otherwise rigid at one end with the outer bobbin supporting disc (not shown) and may be provided at its other end with a coupling flange 22 secured to the outer disc l8 by studs 23.

Connected directly to the outer side of the outer bobbin supporting disc (not shown) may be a suitable peripherally notched thread guide (not shown) cooperating with a thread holder (not shown) in a manner known in the art.

For releasably supporting the heels or butts of the bobbins in the inner disc i8, said disc has a ring 33 in its outer periphery secured to the body of the disc by studs 3! and having a series of circumferentially spaced peripheral recesses 32 in which the heels of the bobbins It are in,-. serted. The heels of the bobbins project beyond the innerdisc 58 outside of the space between the twobobbin supporting discs.

For releasably supporting the. tips of the bobbins in the outer supporting, disc (not shown), said disc, has a ring with a series of peripheral recesses in alignment withrespective recesses 32, in the, disc I8. A circular series of rods 33 within the circle of the bobbins l0 rigidly connect this ring with the, ring 30.

With the arrangement described, the bobbins are supported with their heels or butts extending between the stationary plate [2 and the rotary disc l8.

The-hopper device so far described, forms no part of the present invention, and may be of any other well-known construction.

The operationof the transfer mechanism is controlled by astarting rod 40 supported in journals 4| on the right loomside l5. Whenever substantial exhaustion of the, filling is indicated by a feeler (not shown) located to feel the bobbin when in the left box of the loom, a, partial revolution is given v to the starting rod 40 as .the shuttle moves to the right box of the loom; This setsthe transfer mechanism for transfer.

The actual transfer of the lowermost filled bobbin ID in the hopper H is effected by a main transferrer and an auxiliary transferrer 45 operatable in unison by the motion of the lay 42' to engage the heel and a section of said bobbin near the tip respectively and to force said bobbin out of the hopper and against the spent bobbin in the shuttle 43. The filled bobbin, in being pressed into the top of the shuttle 43, forces the empty bobbin therein out through the bottom of the shuttle and into a suitable receptacle (not shown). By engaging the filled bobbin with the two transferrers Hand 45 at spaced sections therealong for transfer, tilting is avoided and proper setting of the bobbin-in the shuttle 43 is assured.

The main transferrer 44 comprises an arm 50 pivotallymounted'on a stud or' pin on the hopper stand [3 and located outside the hopper II beyond the stationary plate 12. The transfer arm 50- has a'transverse extension 52 (Figs. 1 and 2) passing through a slot 53 in the stationary plate [2 and terminating at its outer end in a shoe or head 54 between the plate 12 and the rotary disc I8-and adapted to engage the heel of the lowermost bobbin ID in the hopper ll during transfer.

The auxiliary transferrer 45 comprises an arm 51 extending into the space between the two rotary bobbin supporting discs of the hopper Ii and mounted on a hollow shaft 58. The shaft 58 is mounted for rocking movement on a bearing or axle rod 50 affixed to a support 6| integral or otherwise rigid with the hopper stand I3.

The auxiliary transfer arm 51 has its inner end, head or shoe 62, designed to engage the filled bobbin H] to be transferred at a section thereof near the tip, and is mounted on the rockcontrol.

shaft 58- in a manner to permit it to be withdrawn from operative position outside of the ambitof the bobbin circle and to allow thereby the hopper H to be rotated continuously in a feed direction (clockwise Fig. 3), when the hopper is released from automatic index or feed To that end, the rock-shaft 58 has secured thereto. an offset bracket 63 carrying a tubular holder64. for the, auxiliary transfer arm 51 The transfer armv 51 is slidable in the holder 64 and is releasably retained in operative transfer position shown in full lines'in Fig. 4 by a spring-pressed ball device 65. A finger ring 56 at the outer end of the transfer arm 5'1 permits manipulation of said arm in and out of operative position. A pin 61 (Fig. 3) on the transfer arm 51 prevents said arm from being pulled all the way out of the holder 64.

If the transfer of a filledbobbin' from the hopper II to the shuttle 43 were to take place with the shuttle in such a position as not to receive the bobbin properly, it is very probable that parts of the transfer mechanism or the shuttle would be broken. This is especially true in those cases in which the shuttle 43 does not receive sufilcient momentum from the picking motion to enter properly the box 38 or in which the shuttle is. rebounding in. the box for any reason. In either case, the. shuttle 43 will pro- J'ect from the box 39.

To prevent-transfer of the filled bobbin under the conditions indicated, there is provided a shuttle feeler device, shown in detail in. Figs. 8-11 and comprising a tubular guide 10 secured to a bracket H afiixed to and depending from the base 12 of the hopper stand l3. Slidable in the guide 10 is a'feeler'plunger 13. A pin 14 extending through the 'feeler plunger 73 and through diametrically opposed elongated slots 15 in the guide lfl'is engaged at its outer projecting ends bythe forked prongs of an arm 16 affixed to a suitably journalled pivot shaft 71. When transfer is indicated, the arm 16 is operated from the starting rod 40.

The feeler plunger'l3 is constructed to permit adjustments in the position ofthe feeler tip thereon and to permit adjustments in the stop position of said plunger in shuttle feeling position. For that purpose, the'feeler plunger 13 comprises a rod-like piston 8| having end sections 82 and 83 with snug slide fit in the guide 10- and an intermediate section 84 of smaller diameter to reduce sl-id'efriction. The end section 82 has a screw 85 projecting beyond the end of the guide ID and carrying a nut 86 serving as an adjustable stop for said piston in its shuttle feeling position. The end section 83 of the piston 8| is hollow and is internallytapped to receive adjustably the threaded shank of the feeler tip 80. A look nut 81 on this shank holds the feeler tip 80 in position adjusted to accommodate for bobbins of different sizes;

The feeler end of the tip 80 has a front edge 90, which extends vertically, so that it does not lift the shuttle in feeler position, and has its upper edge 9| curved to permit the filling end to pass easily thereover.

The feeler plunger 13 is operated from the starting .rod 40 through the pivoted arm it when transfer is indicated. For that purpose, the starting rod 40 has rigidly connected thereto a crank arm 95, pivotally connected at its outer end to one end of a link 96, the other end of said link being connected at 91 to the pivoted arm 16.

, For operating the transferrers M and 45 for bobbin transfer when transfer is indicated and to effect protection through operation of the shuttle feeler device, there is provided a bell crank I pivoted at IOI to an extension I 02 of the bracket H and having two arms I03 and I04. The crank arm I03 is connected to the main transfer arm 59 by a link I05 pivotally connected at its ends to said arms respectively. .The other crank arm HM pivotally carries a latch finger I06 adapted to be engaged by a bunter I31 on the forward side of the lay 42 during the forward movement of the lay, after transfer has been indicated and the shuttle feeler has cleared the mechanism for transfer. The bunter I01 has a V-shaped groove I08 and the outer end of the latch finger W5 is correspondingly bevelled for retention into said groove during transer. The bottom of the bunter I0! is hollow to accommodate the latch finger I96 in the inactive position thereof.

The latch finger I85 is moved in and out of protective position through the feeler slide movement of the feeler plunger 13 in the guide m. For that purpose, there is a spring connection H0 between the latch finger I95 and the feeler plunger 13. This spring connection, shown in detail in Fig. 5, comprises an extensible link in the form of two axially aligned rods III and H2 yieldably held together by an embracing coil spring H3. The rod HI has an eye at one end for pivotal connection to the pin M carried by the feeler plunger 13, and the rod I I 2 has a similar eye at one end for pivotal connection to the latch finger I 06. The two rods II I and H2 are of similar construction and have aligned axial holes H6 receiving an aligning in I [1. Part I I8 of each rod H I or I I2 near its eye is spirally grooved to retain the corresponding end of the coil spring H3, while the end parts H9 of said rods beyond said grooved spring retaining parts are of reduced diameter, so as not to interfere with the expansion and contraction of said spring.

The spring link connection HE is such, that when no transfer is indicated, and the feeler plunger 13 is in the withdrawn inactive position shown in Fig. 3, the latch finger I8 6 is held by said link connection in depressed position out of the reciprocating movement of the bunter I01. When transfer is indicated, and the feeler plunger 13 has been moved into shuttle feeler position shown in Fig. 6, the latch finger I06 will be lifted into the path of movement of the bunter I01 by the spring link connection Hi) to engage said bunter at its groove I08 when lay 42 moves forward towards front center position, thus transmitting the movement of the lay 42 to the bell crank I88. This bell crank rotating clockwise (Fig. 6), thereby swings the main transferrer 44 through the link I05 about the axis of its pivot support 5| intobobbin transfer position.

For swinging the auxiliary transferrer #5 into bobbin transfer position simultaneously with the main transferrer M, the link I05 has rigidly connected thereto intermediate of its ends a short transverse arm I25 pivotally connected at its outer end to one end of a short link I26, the other end of which is pivotally connected to the outer end of a crank arm I21 integral or otherwise rigid with the rock-shaft 58.

For effecting protection through operation of the shuttle feeler, the link 96 operated from the starting rod 40 through the crank arm is of the giveway or lost motion type to transmit motion to the pivoted arm I6 clockwise about its pivot support 11 into position shown in Fig. 8 when transfer is indicated and the starting rod 40 has been partially rotated and to yield Without disturbing the rotative position of said starting rod when protection is indicated by the improper boxing of the shuttle, as shown in Fig. 9. To that end, the link 95 comprises a tube I30 having a head I3! threaded therein at one end and pivotally connected to the crank arm 95 and a head I32 threaded therein at the other end. Extending into the tube E30 and passing through the head I32 with a snug slide fit is a rod I33 having a pivot connection outside said tube with the pivoted arm 76. A coil spring 13 3 encircles the rod I33 in the tube I39 and bears at one end against a collar I35 pinned or otherwise affixed to said rod and at the other end against the head 932.

While the starting rod 45 is rotating from inoperative position to the transfer position shown in Fig. 8, and while the lay 42 is too far away to operate the shuttle feeler, motion is transmitted from said rod to the pivoted arm it through the giveway link 96 with minimum of tension on said link. Motion is therefore, transmitted through the giveway link 96 without causing relative axial movement between the tube I30 and the rod I33 thereof. When protection is indicated requiring revocation of the transfer call, the improperly boxed shuttle engaging the feeler tip 83 during the movement of the lay 42 towards front center position, will move the feeler plunger 13 in the guide it? towards the right (Fig. 9), causing counterclockwise rotation of the pivoted arm 15 about itspivot support IT. This rotation of the pivoted arm 76 is resisted by the starting rod 40 held against counterclockwise (Fig. 9) rotation. However, the lost motion connection of the link 9'5 permits this counterclockwise rotation of the pivoted arm I6. This movement of the pivoted arm 16 and corresponding movement of the feeler plunger 13 towards the right lowers the latch finger I05 into the inoperative position shown in Fig. 9, to revoke the transfer call which had previously caused said finger to move into transfer position shown in Fig. 8.

The hopper indexing or feeding device for automatically rotating the hopper H one step after each transfer operation and for bringing the next bobbin into transfer position, per se forms no part of the invention and may be of any suitable or Well known type or may be of the type shown and described in copending application Serial No. 147,482, filed March 3, 1950. This indexing device comprises a ratchet gear Idtl (Figs. 1 and 2) afiixed to one of the bobbin supporting discs I8 and rotated one step each time by a spring biased pawl MI operated through an arm I42 (Fig. 3) pivotally connected to the main transfer arm 59. The pawl I l! in the normal position (Fig. 1) holds ratchet gear I 48 against known type.

clockwis'e' rotation. After transfer has been coinpleted,'th'e parts of the transfer mechanism are returned to their normal position shown in Fig. 3 through the recoil action of a coil spring I43 connected to the main transfer arm 50 and to the hopper stand I3. The return movement of the main transfer arm 50 into normal position shown in Fig. 3 permits the spring I4Ia, which biases the pawl I4I to rotate the pawl I4I clockwise one step, to bring the next bobbin into transfer position. A stop I44 secured to the hopperstand I3 is adapted to engage the main transfer arm 50 in returned normal position.

A' spring biased stop pawl I45 (Fig. 1) pivotally supported on the stationary plate IZ'engages the ratchet gear I40 and serves to hold the hopper I I against counterclockwise rotation. Suitable handle means I41 (Fig. 1) enables the pawl IM to be disengaged easily from the ratchet gear I40, when it is desired to turn the hopper II by hand, as when inserting fresh bobbins.

A shuttle feeler thread cutter I50 (Fig. 1) is attached to the outer end of the cantilever rod 60 beyond the rock-shaft 58 supported thereon. Whenever the transfer mechanism is placed into operation by the filling feeler motion, a thread of filling extends from the selvage of the cloth through the shuttle eye to the bobbin contained in the shuttle. When the fresh bobbin of filling is inserted in the shuttle, not only must the old bobbin be removed but the shuttle eye must be cleared to allow the yarn from the new bobbin to be properly threaded in the eye. To accomplish this, the thread extending from the selvage of the cloth must be out as closely as possible to the shuttle, so that the old bobbin, in being ejected, will draw the short length of yarn left extending from the shuttle, through the shuttle eye, leaving the latter entirely clear and free.

The usual temple thread cutter '(not shown) alone cannot accomplish this result, as it cuts the thread at too great a distance from the shuttle eye and it dOes not positively operate at the correct time. The thread cutter I50, however, not only severs the filling yarn close to the shuttle at the time of the transfer of filling, but also clamps and holds the end extending to the cloth, so that the temple thread cutter will again out the yarn close to the selvage in the ordinary manner.

The thread cutter I55 per se forms no part of the present invention and may be of any well The thread cutter I50 is shown operated from an arm I5I (Fig. 2) afiixed to the pivot shaft 11 to which the arm I6 is attached and having a cable connection I52 to said thread cutter passing through a cable casing I53 (Fig. 1) At the end of each transfer, the thread cutter I55 is operated.

Operation Although the'operation of the transfer'mechanism and the shuttle feeler is believed apparent from the foregoing description, this operation is herein summarized:

While the loom'is normallyope'rating and the yarn supply on the running shuttle is ample, the starting rod 45 will be in the rotative position shown in Fig. 3, the latch finger I55 will be de pressed out of the path of the lay bunter I51 and the shuttle feeler plunger l3 will be withdrawn in its guide ID, as shown. In this .position of the starting rod 53, the main and auxiliary transferrers M and "45 will be in elevated position directly above the lowermost :bobbinlfl in the hopper H, with the head 54 'of saidmain transferrer directly over theheel of 'said bobbinand the head 62 of said auxiliary transferrer over the section of said bobbin near its tip.

Upon the receipt of a transfer impulse from a suitable filling feeler mechanism near the left side of the loom indicating substantial'exhaus'tion of the filling, th starting rod 40 will be partially rotated counterclockwise'from the -position shown in Fig. 3 tothat shown in Fig. 6. This'operation is effected while the lay '42 is moving towards the rear of the loom (towards the right in'Fig.'6') and while the shuttle 43 is moving towards the 39 on'the magazine sideof the loom. and causes the p'ivoted arm I6 to swing counterclockwise and the feeler plunger 13 just beyond'the endofthe shuttle "43 to be shifted in its guide 10 to the right. This movement of the feeler'plunger'n raises the latch finger I06 through the extensible connection IIO from its depressed inactive position shown in Fig.3 to the raised operative position in the path of thelay bunter I01 shown in Figs. 6"and 8. As the lay 42 arrives at its rearmost position and begins its forward movement, the open end of the box 39 just beyond the tip of-a properly boxed shuttle moves pastthe shuttle feeler tip 80, so that the feeler plunger I3 will remain in the projected position shown in Fig. -'8, while the lay 42 moves toward front center position. Uponcontinued forward movement of the lay 42, the hunter IO'I thereon will engage the raised latch finger I05, as shown in Fig. 7, and rotate the bell crank I 00 clockwise about its pivot support lfiI, causing thereby depressingangula'r movement of the main transfer arm 50 clockwise about its pivot support 5| through the linkI'05 and depressing angular movement of the auxiliary transfer arm 51 clockwise about the rod 50 through the linkage I25, ['26, I27. The extensibility of the link connection I I0 through its spring II3 permits this clockwise rotationof the bell cranklllll. The heads 54 and B2 on thetrans'fer arms 50 and'5'I respectively engaging the lowermost bobbin It in the hopper II will by these operations eject said bobbin from said hopper, while maintaining it horizontal. The filled bobbin is delivered'into'the shuttle 43 smoothly andwith a final deceleration which imparts a minimumof momentum to the bobbin as it is engaged bythe usual shuttle spring. The bobbin is deposited into the shuttle at su'chspeed as to avoid the possibility of overthrowing the bobbin beyond the shuttle spring. As a fresh'bobbin is being inserted into theshuttle as described, the spent bobbin isforced out of the shuttle by its engagement with the-incoming bobbin and dropped into a suitable receptacle. 7

Upon return movement of the transferrers 44 and 45, the indexing device is operated by "the arm I 42 to automatically rotate the hopper I I one step and to bring thereby the next bobbin therein in transfer position.

If after the starting rod'40 has been rotated counterclockwise into the position shown in Fig.

6, the extended shuttle feeler tip during the forward movement of the lay '42 engages the tip of the shuttle 43, then'the -feeler plunger I3 will be forced forwardly by the engaging shuttle 43 into the guide tube 10, as shown in Fig.9, caus ing thereby the latch finger I06 to'be swung by the extensible link connection IIO downwardly about its pivot support on thebell crank I00 and out of the forward path of movement of the lay bunter IIl'I. Under these conditions, as the lay 42 continues its forward movement, the bunter- 9. I01 misses the depressed latch finger H36 and the transfer impulse becomes ineffective. The transfer-of a bobbin from the hopper II to the shuttle 43 cannot therefore take place.

It'should be noted that no stops are provided for engaging the lowermost bobbin in the hopper I I, so that when the pawl I4! is moved into inactive position, the hopper may be rotated clockwise (Fig. 3) continuously regardless of the number' of bobbins in said hopper, provided of course, the auxiliary transfer arm 51 has been withdrawn in its holder 54 into the dot and dash position shown in Fig. 4' out of the path of the bobbins in the'hopper. The hopper may thereby be filled entirely from the front of the loom regardless of the number of bobbins in the hopper.

'It' should be noted that the main transfer mechanism is outside the field between the two rotary'hopper discs, so that spoilage of the bobbins through the lubricant on said mechanism is avoided.

It should also be noted that the main and auxiliary transferrers in operative position occupy minimum of bobbin space near the bottom of the hopper. With this arrangement, a hopper containing space for 30 bobbins can be filled to hold and to operate with 29 bob-bins, thereby increasing the capacity of the hopper over that of the prior art, in which a hopper containing space for 28 bobbins can only operatively hold 25 bobbins.

While the invention has been described with particular reference to a specific embodiment, it is to be understood that it is not to be limited thereto, but is to be construed broadly and restricted solely by the scope of the appended claims. f

What is claimed is:

1 In a filling transfer apparatus for a loom, the combination comprising a rotary hopper having a pair :of axially spaced rotary discs defining a circular series of stations for releasably holding the heels and tips of a number of bobbins between said discs, a main transfer mechanism for engaging the heel of a bobbin at the bottom of said hopper and ejecting said heel from said hopper towards a shuttle therebelow, said main transfer mechanism being located entirely outside of the space defined between said discs, an

auxiliary transfer mechanism for engaging said bobbin near'its tip and ejecting said tip from said hopper toward said shuttle, and means for operating said transfer mechanisms in'unison.

2'. In a filling transfer apparatus for a loom. the combination comprising a rotary hopper having a pair of axially spaced rotary discs defining a circular series of stations for releasably holding a number of bobbins between said discs with the heels of said bobbins projecting beyond one of said discs outside of the space between said discs,

and with the tips of said bobbins releasably retained bythe other disc, a main transfer mechanism for engaging the projecting heel of a bobbin at the bottom of said hopper and ejecting said heel from said hopper towards a shuttle below, an auxiliary transfer mechanism for engaging said bobbin near its tip and ejecting said tip from said hopper towards said shuttle, and means for operating said transfer mechanisms in unison.

3. In a filling transfer apparatus for a loom, the combination comprising a rotary hopper having a pair of axially spaced discs connected for rotation in unison, one of said discs having a series of circumferentially spaced recesses on'its periphery for receiving the heels respectively of a number of bobbins, the other disc having a sim-' ilar series of circumferentially spaced recesses on its periphery in alignment with said heel receiving recesses respectively and adapted to receive the tips respectively of said bobbins, and a mechanism for transferring the bobbins successively from said hopper to a shuttle and comprising a main transfer shoe adapted to engage the heel of a bobbin in said hopper and to eject it out of its disc recess, an auxiliary transfer shoe adapted to engage said latter bobbin near its tip and to eject it out of its disc recess, and linkage means between said shoes for operating said shoes in unison for bobbin transfer.

4. In a filling transfer apparatus for a loom, the combination comprising a rotary hopper having a pair of axially spaced rotary discs defining a circular series of stations for releasably hold-- ing the heel and tip ends of a number of bobbinsbetweensaid discs, and a mechanism for transferring the bobbins successively from said' hop per to a, shuttle and comprising a main arm, a main transfer shoe secured to said arm and"- adapted to engage the heel of a bobbin in said hopper and to eject it from its disc, an auxiliary arm, an auxiliary transfer shoe secured to said the combination comprising a rotary hopper hav-'.

ing a pair of axially spaced rotary discs defining" a'circular series of stations for releasably holding the ends of a number of bobbins between said discs, with the bobbins at one end projecting outwardly beyond the corresponding disc, and a mechanism for transferring the bobbins succes sively from said hopper to a shuttle and comp-ris-' ing a main transfer arm located outside of the space between said discs, a main transfer shoe carried by said arm and adapted to engage the projecting end of a bobbin in said hopper, out-' side of the space between said discs and to eject it from its corresponding disc, an auxiliary trans-' fer arm extending into the space between said discs, an auxiliary transfer shoe carriedby said latter arm and adapted to engage the section of said bobbin between said discs near its other end and to eject it from the other disc, and means. located outside of the space between said discs; connecting said arms for transfer'operation in:

unison. v

6. In a filling transfer apparatus for a m, the combination comprising a rotary hopper 'de--' fining a circular series of stations for releasably holding the ends of a number of bobbins, and a; mechanism for transferring the bobbins successively from said hopper to a shuttle and comprising a transfer arm, and means holding said transfer arm for extension into operative transfer position through the circle of the bobbin stations, said armin said extended position blocking continuous rotation of said hopper, said holding I means being releasable to permit said arm to be manually withdrawn from said extending operative position into inoperative non-blocking posi" tion outside said circle.

7. In a filling transfer apparatus for a loom, the combination comprising a rotary hopper defining a circular series of stations for releasably holding the ends of a number of bobbins, and a- I1 mechanism for transferringjthe bobbins succes sively from said hopper to a. shuttle and comprising' a transferarm, a holder for said arm permitting movement of said transfer arm under manual control selectively into extended operative transfer position through the circle of the bobbinsta tions, where it blocks continuous rotation .ofsaid hopper or into inoperative non-blocking position outside said circle, and means for operating said holder upon receipt of a transfer call, to move said arm for transfer.

8; In a filling transfer apparatus for a loom, the combinationcomprisinga rotary hopper defining acircular series of stations for releasably holding the ends of a number of bobbins; and a mechanism for transferring the bobbins successively from said hopper to a shuttle and comprisingla transfer arm, a holder for said arm permitting movement of said transfer'arm under manual control selectively into extended operative transfer position through the circle of the bobbinstations; where it blocks-continuous rotation of said hopper or'into inoperative non-blocking position outside said circle, a shaft supporting said holder with said transfer arm extending transversely of the axis of said shaft, and means for rotating said shaft partially upon receipt of a transfer call to move said arm for transfer operations.

9. In a filling transfer apparatus for a loom, the combination as described in claim 8, said transfer arm being movable endwise in said holder, and having a handle at its outer end by which said transfer arm may be pulled in said holder out of operative position, said holder having a spring-pressed latch for holdingsaid' arm in operative transfer position.

10. Ina-filling transfer apparatus for a loom, the combination comprising a rotary hopper having a pair of axially spaced rotary discs defining acircular series of stations for releasablyhold ing the ends of a number of. bobbins between said .discs with the bobbins at one end projecting outwardly beyond the corresponding disc, and a mechanism for transferring the bobbins successively from said hopper to a shuttle and comprisinga main transfer arm located outside of the space. between said discs, a main transfer shoe carried by said arm and adapted to engage the projecting end of a bobbin insaidhopper outside of the space between said discsand to eject itv from itscorresponding disc, an auxiliary transfersarm, means for holding said auxiliary transfer arm in extended operative position into the space betweensaid discs where it blocks continunus rotation. of said hopper, an auxiliary trans.-

fer shoe carried by said latter arm and adaptedv toien'gage the section of said bobbin between said discsanear: its end-and to. eject it from the other disc, said holding means being releasable to permit said auxiliary transfer arm and said auxiliary transfer shoe to be withdrawn into inoperative non-blocking position with respect to said hopper, and means connecting said holding means and said main transfer arm for transfer operation in unison.-

ll, In a bobbin transfer mechanism for a loom, theicombination comprising a main'transfer arm supported on a pivot mounting and having a shoe adaptedto' engage the heel ofa bobbin in a rotary hopper for transfer purposes, an auxiliary transfer arm having a shoe adapted to engage the bobbin near the tip for transfer purposes, a pivot mounting, for said auxiliary transfer arm separate from said first mentioned pivot mounting, and means: for moving said arms angularly and in the bobbin nearthe tip for transfer purposes;-;a--

shaft to which said auxiliary'transfer' arm is SB?- cured for pivotal movement with said-auxiliary transfer arm extending transversely ofttheaxis of said shaft, a link connected to said main auxi1--- iary arm and operatable to move said mainrauxiL- iary arm about its pivot mounting forrtransferv operations, a crank arm rigid with saidshaft, and connecting means between said crank arm and said link to operate said auxiliary transferarm aboutits pivot axis in unison with said main transfer arm for transfer.

13. In a bobbin transfer mechanism,,the:com-.-

bination described in claim 12, comprising a shuttle feeler device, a latch movableby said shuttle feeler device in and out of the path of movementof a loom lay, and a-connection between said latch and said link for operating said link for trans-- fer by the movement of the lay when engaging said latch.

14. In a bobbin transfer mechanism, the com-' bination comprising a transfer arm carrying a: shoe adapted to engage a bobbin in a hopper andtransfer it therefrom to a" shuttle, a shuttle feeler device having a feeler plunger, means for. moving, said feeler plunger into shuttle I feeler position: when transfer is indicated, a pivotally supported.

crank having a pair of arms, a latch movablyv carried on one arm of said crank, a connectionbetween said latch and said plungercausingsaid latch to swing into the path of movement of the lay when said plunger is extended in shuttle feeler position and toswing out of said path when said plunger is withdrawn into inactive position, said latch extending in a direction andbeing operatable to rotate said crank about its pivot support when said latch is engaged by the lay, and a connection between the other arm of said crank.

and said transfer'arm for moving said transfer arm for transfer, as said crank is-rotated about its pivot support, said first mentionedconnection between said latch and said plungerv being operatable to move said latchout ofthepath of the lay when revocation of transfer is indicated by an improperly boxed shuttle.-

.15. In a bobbin transfermechanism, thecombination as described in claim 14, said. first men-- tioned connection between the latch and. thefeeler plunger comprising a pair of longitudinally aligned linksections yieldably' held together by a coil spring and permitted to-be-separated for extension purposes against-the resistanceof' said spring.

16. In a bobbin transfer mechanism for a loom having a reciprocable lay, the combination-comprising a transfer arm carrying a shoe adapted to engage a bobbin in a hopper and transfer it there from to a shuttle, a shuttle feeler, a latch sup-- ported for movement into and out of the path of. the lay, a connection between said shuttle feeler and said latch for moving saidlatch into the path of said lay, wh n said feeler is extended. into shuttle feeler position and for. moving said latch out of said path, when said feeler is withdrawn into inactive position or has been moved by animproperly boxed shuttle duringshuttle feeler operations, said connection comprisine a link.

having spring-pressed extensible sections permitting said link to be extended when said latch is engaged by said lay and is moved thereby, and means operatablein response to the actuation of the latch by the engaging lay for effecting movement of said transfer arm for transfer opera tions.

17. In a bobbin transfer mechanism for a loom having a reciprocable lay, the combination comprising a transfer arm carrying a shoe adapted to engage a bobbin --in a hopper and transfer it therefrom to a shuttle, a shuttle feeler device comprising a feeler plunger, a guide for said plunger having an elongated guide slot extending therealong, and a'pin on said plunger projecting through said slot,a bell crank pivotally supported, a latch pivotally connected to one arm of said bell crank and movable into and out of the path of movement of said lay, an extensible link connection between said pin and said latch, for moving said latch into the path of said lay when said plunger is extended into shuttle feeler position and for moving said latch out of said path when 14 said plunger is withdrawn either because transfor has not been indicated or because of the action'j of an improperly boxed shuttle, said latch being mounted on said bell crank arm in position 7 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 753,012 Stim'pson Feb. 23, 1904 20 1,594,333 7 Jackson July 27, 1926 -2,027,776 Hrdina Jan. 14, 1936 I 2,515,045 Kielczewski et a1. July 11, 1950 Rinne et al Oct. 10, 1950 

